Gillingham will embrace the challenge against one of the promotion favourites tonight.

Boss Steve Evans takes his side to Ipswich Town’s Portman Road, hoping to end a run of three straight league defeats.

Ipswich have lost their last two and Evans has already said it would be a disaster if Paul Lambert’s side don’t win a place back in the Championship this season after finishing as low as 11th last time around, a place below the Gills.

Evans spoke about the game at Ipswich to the Gills media team prior to their departure into Suffolk and said: “It gets no easier tonight at Ipswich Town who are expected by many to win automatic promotion.

“They have an outstanding squad of players and we will need to be at our very best to return to Kent with something to show for our efforts.”

Gillingham put on an improved performance last time out, against Fleetwood, but missed chances proved costly. They lost the game 2-0 .

The game at Ipswich is part of a tough run of games for the club. Sunderland are next up at Priestfield on Saturday.

Injuries haven’t helped with Vadaine Oliver, Tom O’Connor, Jacob Mellis and Kyle Dempsey all on the injured list. Connor Ogilvie is suspended.

“It will be very tough,” said Evans.

“We need the same level of performance and perhaps get a little bit of luck. The reality is we have had none of that in this early part of the season.

“The lads are looking forward to tonight, it’s a fantastic place to play football so let’s embrace the challenge.”

Home boss Lambert will be watching the match from the stands after being charged with using abusive and insulting language in their last match against Lincoln City, a game Ipswich lost 1-0. He has been fined £1,000 and handed a touchline ban.

That defeat followed a 4-1 loss to Doncaster Rovers.

Both Ipswich and Lincoln have been charged for allegedly failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion. Ipswich midfielder Jon Nolan was dismissed in stoppage-time and that led to a confrontation. Lambert was also red-carded.

"We didn’t lose to Lincoln, we lost to the officials, in my opinion," said Lambert, after the defeat, which took City top of League 1.

Read more: The pressure is on them says Evans, ahead of Ipswich trip